Steelers' George Pickens Has His Exact Trade Value Revealed

The Pittsburgh Steelers spent more than a year attempting to find a solid wide receiver two (WR2) to partner with George Pickens. It began with the trading of Diontae Johnson after the 2023 season and concluded with the recent trade for DK Metcalf. The Metcalf trade represents the biggest contract given by the Steelers to any one player. 

On the surface, the Metcalf deal feels wildly exciting, even though the franchise doesn't know who their starting quarterback will be yet for 2025. However, it also raises some questions about Pickens, his future in Pittsburgh, and how he will handle that. Pickens will be in the final year of his rookie deal this season and has proven to be highly erratic. His antics seemed to ramp up in 2024, and many are concerned he will struggle with sharing the ball with Metcalf. 

That has led some insiders to speculate that the Steelers will try to trade Pickens before the season begins, especially if they land a solid receiver in the upcoming draft. The draft process is never guaranteed, and even if the Steelers manage to secure one of the best receivers in this draft, they may not have the talent that Pickens has. Despite all of his crazy behaviors, there is no disputing that Pickens has the potential to be an elite receiver in the NFL. 

Pickens created his own speculation by posting a picture on Instagram of him standing next to Tom Brady, who now owns part of the Las Vegas Raiders. Of course, social media immediately exploded with conjecture about what, if anything, that photo meant. Ray Fittipaldo from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette joined The Fan Morning Show on 93.7 The Fan and was asked about it. Fittipaldo joked and said it clearly shows the Steelers are trading Pickens to the Raiders before adding there is no way to know if this means anything, or if it was even recent. However, it raises some thoughts about Pickens and how he is most valuable to the Black and Gold. 

"It's interesting, the Steelers have some options with George," explained Fittipaldo about Pickens' future in Pittsburgh. "They should never trade him for anything less than a third-round pick. No matter if they do that this spring or in the fall because George is going to sign a big contract next year if he walks in free agency, and at the minimum, you're probably getting a third-round comp pick. So unless you can get a two or a three for a George on draft day, or for George at the deadline, you just don't do it; you just hang on to it."

Fittipaldo added that the pick they will acquire for Pickens, plus all of the other compensatory picks they are accumulating this offseason, can easily be packaged together to go after a franchise quarterback in 2026 if they don't find one now.  

The Steelers have thrown their hat in the ring for Aaron Rodgers. However, they still have Russell Wilson as a possibility and have re-signed Mason Rudolph. While Rodgers might be their preference, they seem to feel good about any of them. 

Steelers' George Pickens Is The Master Of His Universe

While Pickens cannot control whether or not the Steelers decide to trade him, he can show the team that he is willing to work with Metcalf the way Metcalf expressed at his press conference. Many believe Pickens will pout because of the new signing. 

However, he controls where this goes for him. He can embrace the additions and realize it is good for everyone. It will mean fewer defenders on him, so ultimately, more targets. It will also open the offense up more for other receivers, hopefully winning them more games. If he chooses to sulk, it might only deepen negative feelings teams may already have about him. 

Do you think Pittsburgh will trade Pickens? Tell us what you think below. 

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